The Spurs completely dominated the Suns in the Western Conference Finals, while the Pistons needed seven games to get back to the Finals.

The Spurs shouldn?t expect to control this year?s Finals, like they did in 2003 when they needed six games to defeat the New Jersey Nets.  The Detroit Pistons are in the Finals for the second consecutive season, just like the 2003 Nets, but are coming off a championship where they beat the Los Angeles Lakers in five games.

In the back of the Pistons' minds, they must realize that it only a fluke Derek Fisher buzzer-beater prevented the Spurs from seeking back-to-back titles.  Instead the Pistons got a flawed and injured Lakers team, in the midst of a King Kong meltdown.

The Match-Ups

Point Guard
Chauncey Billups vs. Tony Parker

Each point guard has his own individual style; Parker plays at a lightning pace, while Billups is very deliberate and controlled.  They both are capable of taking the biggest of shots, but while Speedy Claxton got a lot of the quality time in 2003, when Parker was AWOL, Billups is the reigning Finals MVP and for very good reason.  Larry Brown consistently relied on Billups to stop any Lakers run with a finely shot 17 footer.

Billups is the heart and soul and the axis of the Pistons, which cannot be said about Parker.  With Parker guarding Billups down low, the Detroit point guard will become their best low post option.

Edge: Pistons

Shooting Guard
Richard Hamilton vs. Manu Ginobili

Hamilton and Ginobili can both score, but in very different ways.  

Hamilton will give you 20-25 points every single night, while Ginobili will scored 35 points one night and 12 the next.

Edge: Even

Small Forward
Tayshaun Prince vs. Bruce Bowen

Both players are defensive specialists and for that reason they will see very little of each other, as they will be assigned to mark the opposing team?s shooting guard for much of the game.

Prince?s length on defense and his ability to penetrate offset Bowen?s veteran mind games that he plays on his opponent.  Bowen has successfully rattled the likes of Ray Allen and Kobe Bryant in big games, but Rip Hamilton is a beacon of reliability and is unlikely to get rattled.

Edge: Pistons

Power Forward
Rasheed Wallace vs. Tim Duncan

As unique of a player Rasheed Wallace might be, Tim Duncan is a top-3 player in the whole league.  He may not be at 100%, but 85% of Tim Duncan is still better than all of Rasheed Wallace.

Edge: Spurs

Center
Ben Wallace vs. Nazr Mohammed

Nazr is on the bench down the stretch, as Popovich prefers Robert Horry at the end of games.

Wallace will guard Duncan much of the game and be responsible for keeping him in tow.  After being matched with Shaq for seven games, Wallace should be able to outmuscle Duncan at times.

Edge: Pistons

Bench
Antonio McDyess, Lindsay Hunter, Eldon Campbell vs. Robert Horry, Brent Barry, Glenn Robinson

Robert Horry is one of the most clutch players in NBA playoffs history, that is know, regardless of how talented you think he is.  Beyond Horry, the Spurs will have a difficult time comparing to the veteran trio of McDyess, Hunter and Campbell.  McDyess and Campbell will be of great use against Duncan and Hunter will be able to provide excellent defense off the bench against both Parker and Ginobili.

The Pistons have more balance, but nobody on anybody?s bench has the capability of winning a game like Horry.

Edge: Even

Coaching
Larry Brown vs. Greg Popovich

Without the Cleveland distraction, this match up would be a dead heat, but with the constant influx of Larry Brown leaving, staying, leaving, Poppovich is the more focused coach and he has the trust of his team, which certainly cannot not be said about Brown.

Edge: Spurs

Prediction: Spurs in 7

This series will certainly be the closest NBA Finals since Michael Jordan and the Bulls defeated the Jazz in 1998.

These are the most professional teams of their respective conference and with clutch players galore, a sweep or even a 5-game toying will not be options.

This series will go seven games.